The aggressive patient experiences of healthcare professionals exposed to physical violence in a psychiatric clinic: A phenomenological study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the experiences of healthcare professionals, exposed to physical violence, related to aggressive patients at a psychiatry service.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

The qualitative study sample consisted of a total of 21 healthcare professionals. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. An inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data.

FINDINGS: Three themes, the effects of warning signs of violence, clinical management of violence, and effects of violence, and 13 sub-themes were determined.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The effects of physical violence on healthcare professionals can be seen and will contribute to planning in this regard.